Nn Principal Fired After Losing Long Appeal

Claims Racial Discrimination

July 02, 1993|By RONNIE CROCKER Daily Press

NEWPORT NEWS — A tenured elementary school principal, blasted by parents and teachers alike for insubordination, poor management and flagrant violations of School Board policy, lost her appeal Thursday of the superintendent's decision to fire her.

School Board members voted unanimously to uphold a recommendation that June M. Montgomery be removed as principal of Yates Elementary School and dismissed from the school system. She had been with Newport News schools as a teacher and administrator since 1985 and was one of 11 black principals in the city.

In a 12-hour appeal hearing earlier this week, Montgomery and her attorney attributed the dismissal action to racial discrimination and an elaborate conspiracy of parents and teachers at Yates and her previous school, Briarfield Elementary, who wanted her to fail. Her primary defense was that nearly all of her accusers, including Superintendent Eric J. Smith, had lied during their testimony against her.

Montgomery was present when board members announced their decision but could not be reached afterward. Her attorney, Robert P. Geary of Richmond, has said Montgomery is pursuing a racial discrimination suit with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The Newport News NAACP issued a statement Thursday saying it will conduct its own investigation into the dismissal and support Montgomery pending the outcome of the inquiry.

In addition to the Yates teachers and PTA members who testified against Montgomery, several of her supporters waited for several hours to present another side of Montgomery. During the appeal hearing, which lasted until 4 a.m. Tuesday, they described a caring administrator who always kept the best interests of children in mind.

Yet among the most serious allegations were that she mishandled a case involving a student who was caught with a ``look-alike drug'' and that she left children unattended at two PTA-sponsored activities when their parents were late picking them up.

She also was accused of referring to a black assistant superintendent as an ``Uncle Tom.'' Montgomery denied making the comment.

Thaddeus B. Holloman Sr., one of the School Board's two black members, said race was not an issue in the case. In a prepared statement, Holloman said he recognized that Newport News needs to hire more minority teachers and administrators, but he noted that the district is funding a special recruitment program for the upcoming school year.

``The issues that I feel are relevant in this case include insubordination, violation of division policy, failure to provide a safe and orderly environment, failure to create a positive school environment for staff and parents, unprofessional conduct and inadequate instructional leadership,'' said Holloman.